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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The total number of firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The number of firstborn sons who were one month old or older was 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and all the firstborn males, by the number of names from a month old and upward for their numbered men, were 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and all the firstborn males by the number of names from a month old and upward, for their numbered men were 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and all the first-born males by the number of names from a month old and upward, for their numbered men were 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and all the firstborn males by the number of names from a month old and upward, for their numbered men were 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and all the firstborn males from a month old and upward as numbered were 22,273 [273 more than the Levites].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The total number of the firstborn males one month old or more listed by name was 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The total number of the firstborn males one month old or more listed by name was 22,273. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the first-born males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />there were 22,273 of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And all the firstborn males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The total of all the firstborn males at least one month old was 22,273. They were listed by name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />one month old or older; the total was 22,273. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All the first-born males according to the list of their names from a month old and above numbered 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And all the firstborn males, by the number of the names from a month old and upward, totaled 22,273. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />All the firstborn males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And all the first-born males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and seventy and three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />All the firstborn males according to the number of names from a month old and upward, of those who were counted of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And every firstborn male, by the number of names, from a son of a month and upward, of their numbered ones, are twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And all the first-born -- male -- by the number of names, from a son of a month and upward, of their numbered ones, are two and twenty thousand two hundred and seventy and three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And every first-born male shall be according to the number of names, from the son of a month and above, for those being reviewed, two and twenty thousand three and seventy and two hundred.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the males by their names, from one month and upward, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the males by their names, from one month and above, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />All the firstborn males, registered by name, of a month or more, numbered twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The total enrollment, all the firstborn males from a month old and upward, counting the number of names, was twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And all the first-born males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, and their number was twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all firstborn males by the number of the names of a son of a month and above, the number of them was twenty and two thousand and two hundred and seventy and three.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And all the first-born males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And all the male first-born in number by name, from a month old and upwards, were according to their numbering twenty-two thousand and two hundred and seventy-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/3-43.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=984" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm">The Redemption of the Firstborn</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">42</span>So Moses numbered all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the LORD had commanded him. <span class="reftext">43</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">The total</a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: lip̄·qu·ḏê·hem (Prep-l:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mpc:: 3mp) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.">number</a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: bə·ḵō·wr (N-ms) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">of the firstborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">males</a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: ḥō·ḏeš (N-ms) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month.">a month</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: mib·ben- (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">old</a> <a href="/hebrew/4605.htm" title="4605: wā·ma‘·lāh (Conj-w:: Adv:: 3fs) -- From alah; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.">or more,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: bə·mis·par (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">listed</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šê·mō·wṯ (N-mp) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">by name,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·na·yim (Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">22,273</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: wə·‘eś·rîm (Conj-w:: Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šāh (Number-ms) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: wə·šiḇ·‘îm (Conj-w:: Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: ū·mā·ṯā·yim (Conj-w:: Number-fd) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction."></a> </span><span class="reftext">44</span>Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-2.htm">Exodus 13:2</a></span><br />“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-12.htm">Exodus 13:12-15</a></span><br />you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. / You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem. / In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-37.htm">Exodus 12:37</a></span><br />The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/38-26.htm">Exodus 38:26</a></span><br />a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/27-6.htm">Leviticus 27:6</a></span><br />Now if the person is from one month to five years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be five shekels of silver, and for the female three shekels of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/1-45.htm">Numbers 1:45-46</a></span><br />So all the Israelites twenty years of age or older who could serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families. / And all those counted totaled 603,550.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/8-16.htm">Numbers 8:16-18</a></span><br />For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel. / For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. / But I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-15.htm">Numbers 18:15-16</a></span><br />The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. / You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Deuteronomy 21:15-17</a></span><br />If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a></span><br />And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">1 Chronicles 23:24</a></span><br />These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-22.htm">Luke 2:22-23</a></span><br />And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord / (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a></span><br />When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-28.htm">Hebrews 11:28</a></span><br />By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-38.htm">Acts 7:38</a></span><br />He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and three score and thirteen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Numbers 3:39</a></b></br> All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, <i>were</i> twenty and two thousand.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/3-42.htm">First</a> <a href="/numbers/3-42.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/numbers/3-42.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/numbers/1-24.htm">Listed</a> <a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">Males</a> <a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">Month</a> <a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">Names</a> <a href="/numbers/3-42.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Numbering</a> <a href="/numbers/2-4.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-39.htm">Seventy-Three</a> <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm">Thirteen</a> <a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/numbers/2-32.htm">Three</a> <a href="/numbers/2-26.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Total</a> <a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Twenty-Two</a> <a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">Upward</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">First</a> <a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/numbers/11-26.htm">Listed</a> <a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/26-62.htm">Males</a> <a href="/numbers/9-1.htm">Month</a> <a href="/numbers/11-26.htm">Names</a> <a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/4-34.htm">Numbering</a> <a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">Seventy-Three</a> <a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">Thirteen</a> <a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">Three</a> <a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/numbers/4-37.htm">Total</a> <a href="/numbers/3-47.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/numbers/26-14.htm">Twenty-Two</a> <a href="/numbers/4-3.htm">Upward</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-1.htm">The sons of Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-5.htm">The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-14.htm">Are numbered by their families</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-21.htm">The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-27.htm">Of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-33.htm">Of the Merarites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">The place and charge of Moses and Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">The firstborn are freed by the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-44.htm">The balances are refunded</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The total number of the firstborn males</b><br>In the context of <a href="/numbers/3.htm">Numbers 3</a>, the census of the firstborn males is significant because it reflects God's claim over the firstborn of Israel, a reminder of the Passover event in Egypt where the firstborn of the Egyptians were struck down. This census is part of God's command to consecrate the firstborn to Him (<a href="/exodus/13-2.htm">Exodus 13:2</a>). The firstborn males represent the beginning of strength and the future of the family line, which holds cultural importance in ancient Israelite society.<p><b>a month old or more</b><br>The specification of "a month old or more" indicates the age at which a male child was considered viable and thus counted. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, infant mortality was high, and a child surviving past the first month was more likely to live. This age threshold also aligns with the time when a child would be presented for redemption, as seen in the practice of redeeming the firstborn (<a href="/exodus/13-13.htm">Exodus 13:13-15</a>).<p><b>listed by name</b><br>The listing by name underscores the personal nature of God's relationship with His people. Each firstborn is individually accounted for, reflecting the importance of each life in the community. This practice of naming and listing is seen throughout the Bible, emphasizing the value of individuals within the covenant community (<a href="/isaiah/43.htm">Isaiah 43:1</a>).<p><b>was 22,273</b><br>The specific number, 22,273, is significant because it highlights the meticulous nature of the census and the importance of accuracy in fulfilling God's commands. This number also sets the stage for the redemption of the firstborn, as the Levites are taken in place of the firstborn of Israel (<a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">Numbers 3:45-47</a>). The slight discrepancy between the number of firstborn and the number of Levites (22,000) necessitates a redemption price for the excess, pointing to the concept of substitution and redemption, which foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ (<a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18-19</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who was responsible for conducting the census of the firstborn males as commanded by God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>The brother of Moses and the first high priest, who played a significant role in the religious leadership of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were now in the wilderness, receiving God's laws and instructions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_firstborn_males.htm">The Firstborn Males</a></b><br>These were the firstborn sons of the Israelites, who were counted in this census as part of God's command to consecrate the firstborn to Him.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>A tribe set apart by God to serve in the tabernacle, who were to be taken in place of the firstborn sons of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_principle_of_consecration.htm">The Principle of Consecration</a></b><br>The firstborn males were consecrated to God, symbolizing that all life belongs to Him. This principle calls us to dedicate our lives and resources to God's service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_choice.htm">God's Sovereign Choice</a></b><br>The selection of the Levites to serve in place of the firstborn illustrates God's sovereign choice and His provision for His people. We are reminded to trust in God's plans and His provision for our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/substitution_and_redemption.htm">Substitution and Redemption</a></b><br>The Levites serving in place of the firstborn foreshadows the concept of substitution and redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. This encourages us to reflect on the redemptive work of Jesus and our response to His sacrifice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>The Israelites' obedience in counting and consecrating the firstborn demonstrates the importance of following God's commands. We are called to live in obedience to God's Word in our daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_responsibility.htm">Community and Responsibility</a></b><br>The census of the firstborn highlights the communal aspect of Israel's identity and responsibility. As believers, we are part of a spiritual community with responsibilities to one another and to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_redeem_273_extra_firstborns.htm">Numbers 3:43 – Why is there a mismatch requiring the redemption of 273 surplus firstborn, suggesting an uneven count? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_differing_census_counts.htm">Numbers 3 - How do we reconcile these population figures with other biblical passages that present different census counts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_22,000_levites_plausible_then.htm">Numbers 3:39 - How plausible is the total of exactly 22,000 Levites, given population estimates of that era?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_feasible_to_count_all_males_1+_month.htm">Numbers 3:15 - Is it realistic to gather and count every male from one month old and upward in a nomadic environment?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(43) <span class= "bld">Twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.</span>--The extremely small number of the firstborn in proportion to a male population of 600,000 of twenty years of age and upwards--i.e., to a population of about 1,000,000 males--has been a fruitful source of difficulty, and, in some cases, a ground for the rejection of the historical truth of the narrative, which involves, it has been alleged, the incredible conclusion that there was only <span class= "ital">one </span>firstborn <span class= "ital">to forty-four </span>males. It might suffice, in answer to those who urge this difficulty as a ground for rejecting the truth of the narrative, to reply that it is difficult, if not impossible, to conceive that a writer who has recorded, or, according to the theory in question, <span class= "ital">invented </span>so many complicated calculations, should have inserted amongst them one which is fraught with so much apparent improbability. Many solutions of the problem have been proposed which relieve the apparent disproportion of the number of the firstborn not only of its alleged impossibility, but even of improbability. Some have urged that we are constrained by every principle of analogy to restrict the firstborn sons to those who were under twenty years of age, and who had not been included in the census which had been already taken. The destruction of the firstborn of the Egyptians was clearly subject to a somewhat similar limitation. Pharaoh himself was, in all probability, a firstborn son; and in regard to the Egyptians generally there does not appear to have been above one death in each house (<a href="/exodus/12-30.htm" title="And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.">Exodus 12:30</a>), although there must have been very many houses in which the father (and it may be the grandfather) as well as the son was a firstborn child. Another opinion is that by the firstborn in every <span class= "ital">family </span>we are to understand the firstborn in every <span class= "ital">household, </span>including the children of concubines and slaves. When due allowance has been made, on either of these hypotheses, for the average proportion of the sexes, the average number of early deaths, and also for the limitation of the term <span class= "ital">firstborn </span>to those who were the firstborn on the side of the father as well as of the mother, it has been contended that the number of the firstborn is consistent with the supposition that each family of the Israelites consisted of about eight or nine children--a supposition which, considering how prolific the Hebrew women are said to have been, cannot be regarded as deserving of rejection on the ground of its incredibility. The most probable solution of the difficulty, however, appears to be that which is given in the Introduction.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 43.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.</span> These were the first-born of the twelve tribes; but who were included under the designation "first-born" is a matter of grave dispute. The smallness of their number (not much above one per cent. of the whole population) has given rise to several conflicting theories, all of which seem to be artificial, arbitrary, and therefore unsatisfactory. It is urged by some that the expression "every male that openeth the womb" must be strictly pressed, and that there would be no "first-born" in those families (which form a considerable majority) in which either a girl was born first, or the eldest, being a boy, had died. It is further urged that only those first-horn would be counted who were not themselves fathers of families. These considerations will indeed reduce the probable numbers very largely, but not to the required amount. Others, again, give an entirely different turn to the difficulty by urging that as the command in <a href="/exodus/13.htm">Exodus 13</a>. I was prospective only, so at this time only the first-born since the exodus were counted. This makes it necessary to assume an altogether unprecedented birth-rate during that short period. One other explanation strives to satisfy the arithmetical conditions of the problem by assuming that the whole of the Divine legislation in this matter was in reality directed against the worship of Moloch, and was designed to prevent the offering of first-born to him by redeeming them unto himself. As the rites of Moloch only demanded young children of tender age, only such were counted in this census. It may, indeed, be very probably concluded that their heavenly Father <span class="accented">did</span> claim these first-born, partly in order to save them from Moloch, because the people would thereafter be exposed to the fascination of that horrid superstition; but there is no proof whatever that they were acquainted with it at this time. These cruel rites, together with many other heathen abominations, are forbidden in <a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10</a>, in view of the entry into Canaan, where they were practiced. The prophet Amos, when he reproaches them with having "carried the tabernacle of" their "Moloch" even in the wilderness (<a href="/amos/5-26.htm">Amos 5:26</a>), absolves them by implication from any darker superstition; and the highly rhetorical passage <a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26</a> seems to refer to the consequences of disobedience at a later date, and can hardly be pressed against the entire silence of the Pentateuch. Anyhow it does not seem possible, on the strength of a supposed intention on the part of God of which no trace appears in the text, to impose a narrow and arbitrary limit upon the plain command to number "all the first-born, from a month old and upward." If we turn from these speculations to the reason and ground of the matter as stated by God himself, it will appear much more simple. It was distinctly on the ground of their preservation from the destroying angel in Egypt that the first-born of Israel were claimed as God's <span class="accented">peculium</span> now (see verse 13). The command in <a href="/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1</a> was no doubt prospective, but the sanctification of the first-born was based upon the deliverance itself; and this command was intended not to limit that sanctification for the present, but to continue it for the future. Now if we turn to <a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Exodus 12:29, 30</a>, and ask who the first-born were whom the destroying angel cut off, we see plainly enough that they included the eldest son, being a child, in every house; that every family lost one, and only one. On the one hand, Pharaoh himself was in all probability a first-born, but he was not in any personal danger, because he ranked and suffered as a father, not as a son. On the other hand, the majority of families in which the first-born was a daughter, or had died, did not therefore escape: "there was not a house where there was not one dead." Taking this as the only sure ground to go upon, we may conclude with some confidence that the first-born now claimed by God in-eluded all the eldest sons in the families of Israel who were not themselves the heads of houses. These were the destroyed in Egypt - these the redeemed in Israel. How they came to be so few in proportion is a matter in itself of extremely slight importance, and dependant, perhaps, upon causes of which no record was left. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/3-43.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The total</span><br /><span class="heb">כָל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">number</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְקֻדֵיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·qu·ḏê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6485.htm">Strong's 6485: </a> </span><span class="str2">To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the firstborn</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכ֨וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firstborn, chief</span><br /><br /><span class="word">males</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֜ר</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remembered, a male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a month old</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(mib·ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or more,</span><br /><span class="heb">וָמַ֖עְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ma‘·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4605.htm">Strong's 4605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top</span><br /><br /><span class="word">listed</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mis·par)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4557.htm">Strong's 4557: </a> </span><span class="str2">A number, definite, indefinite, narration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by name,</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁמ֛וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(šê·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִי֩</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">22,273</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנַ֤יִם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbers 3:43 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">OT Law: Numbers 3:43 All the firstborn males according to (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/3-42.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 3:42"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:42" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/3-44.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 3:44"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:44" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>